BLYTH — After 40 years of serving women and children in Huron County, Huron Women’s Shelter, Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services has officially rebranded as Artemis Huron. The announcement was made at its 40th Anniversary celebration and Annual General Meeting, marking a powerful new chapter in its legacy of care, advocacy and community leadership. Adding to the news of the name change, MPP Lisa Thompson also formally congratulated them on receiving two grants, totalling $699,700, from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), over the past year.
“I am pleased to see the Ontario Trillium Foundation invest significantly in Artemis Huron’s important work to ensure our communities are safe and strong,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “These grants will not only strengthen programs that support survivors of violence in our local communities, but also build the organization’s ability to help individuals – starting with a safe place from which the victims of violence can establish an important network that will assist them to establish a solid path forward. By enhancing healing supports and exploring new housing models, Artemis Huron is making a difference for women and children so they can look to the future with confidence,” added MPP Thompson.
Artemis Huron received the first of the two grants last fall, a one-year, $100,000 Seed grant to help expand its sexual violence program to continue supporting sexual violence survivors in rural communities. The grant is also helping the group to support leadership development and to build on its capacity. And then this past winter, Artemis Huron received the good news that it was getting an additional three-year, $599,700 Grow grant. Funds from this grant will enhance the shelter’s second stage healing program and to also evaluate its innovative housing model that provides relationship-centred approaches supporting women and children impacted by gender-based violence. Both grants are instrumental in strengthening the organization’s trauma-informed, survivor-centered services.
Artemis Huron is inspired by the Greek goddess of protection, transition, the moon, and the wild — a symbol of fierce devotion, deep healing, and the power of choice. These qualities reflect the spirit of the organization and the women and children it supports every day.
“This rebrand isn’t a departure, it’s a homecoming,” said Corey Allison, Executive Director, Artemis Huron. “We are deeply proud of our history, and we remain rooted in the same mission and values that have guided us for four decades. But our work has grown, across services, across systems, and across lives. We needed a name that could reflect the full strength of who we are in 2025 and beyond.”
“Our name may have changed, but our commitment hasn’t,” said Allison. “We continue to provide emergency shelter, second stage programming, counselling, advocacy, education, and outreach across Huron County. But we are also navigators, listeners, and builders of a world beyond violence. To everyone who has supported us along the way: thank you,” added Allison. “You’ve helped make this moment possible. You’ve helped shape Artemis Huron.”
About Artemis Huron: Formerly known as Huron Women’s Shelter, Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services, Artemis Huron is a feminist, trauma and violence-informed organization providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, counselling, outreach, education, and advocacy to women and children impacted by gender-based violence in Huron County. In 2025, the organization proudly celebrates 40 years of serving the community.